Ignition device for gas burners



July 1, 1924. 1.49.9,854

E. L. CLAUS IGNITION DEVICE FOR GAS BURNERS F iled Aug. 19, 1920 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

E. L. CLAUS IGNITION DEVICE FOR GAS BURNERS July 1 1924.

Q imSheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 19, 1920 ATTORNEY.

Jul 1 1924.

- E. L. CLAUS IGNITION DEVICE FOR GAS BURNERS Filed Aug. 19. 1920 s Shetts-Slwet s an mm. 9996 m INVENTOR.

Patented duty l, 192%.

pairs rr EMIL L. CLAUS, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MILWAOKEE GAS SPE- CIALTY COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

IGNITION DEVICE FOR, GAS BURNERS.

Application. filed August 19, 1920. Serial No. 404,588.

T 0 all whom it ma/y concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL L. CLAUs, a citizen of-the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Devices for Gas Burners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates -to new and useful improvements in devices adapted for association with a gas stove or the like to light any one of a plurality of burners thereof, the present structure constituting a general improvement of the ignition apparatus disclosed. in my previous Patent No. 1,339,102,

issued to me May 4, 1920, and wherein there is provided aplurality of valves associated with respective'burners and a torch-head having ports individually connected each with an igniter port of a respective valve whereby when the valve is opened, an igniting torch of flame is projected toward the corresponding burner.

It is in general an object of the present invention to simplify the structure of the present type of device and to reduce the number of exposed parts whereby to facili tate maintaining the device incleanly condition and to effect a most pleasing appearance of the device when associated with a gas stove. In providing for the pro eetion of individual jets, it is necessary to provide a passageway extending from each of the main valves to the torch-head and it is more particularly an object of my present invention to embody such passageways in the main supply pipe or stringer structure of the stove.

It is a further important object'of my invention to provide an, arrangement facilitating the manufacture and assembly of the main and torch supply valves with respect to the various gas passageways with which they are associated. I

A still further object resides in the provision of an improved torch-head structure which may be most readily associated with the supply passages for individual ets thereof; which is provided with jets adapted to effect a most positive discharge of the 1gniting gas and to permit adjustment for var'ving the range of action of the jet of igniting gas, and which further is adapted to maintain pilot; ignition of gas therein in such manner as to efi'ectively guard against possible extinguishing of the same.

A still further object with respect to the pilot ignition of the torch-head resides in the provision of means for selectively maintaining a pilot light at one or a plurality of the jets, and for adjusting the size of the pilot light or lights whereby to adapt the device for use with diiferent grades and pressures of gas, and different conditions of exposure to drafts, tending to extinguish the pilot ignition.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, my invention resides more particularly in the novel combination, formation and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a gas stove having my improved lighting device'associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the torch supply pipe of the device and showingits connection with the stringer and passages thereof;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the torch-head pipe, with portions of the stringer pipe and torch-head in section;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View taken longitudinally through the stringer pipe on the plane indicated by line 1-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view ahrough one side portion of the torch-head ase;

' Figure 6 is a sectional view through one of the control valves' and the adjacent stringer pipe portion; v

Figure 7 is a horizontal view through the valve showing the various working positions thereof, and

Figures 8 and 9 are horizontal and vertical views taken respectively through a modilied form of passageway structure connecting the stringer pipe and torch-head.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 designates the topof a conventional gas stove, including in the present instance four burners 11 from which the usual pipes 12 extend to the front of the stove and terminate in air-mixing 7 intake nipples of said valves being threaded in the usual main. supply pipe or stringer l which extends along the front of the stove.

Tu the present instance If utilize the stringer pipe 15 to house the individual torch jet passages, and thus apair of relatively small pipes 16 are secured in the stringer pipe at its side portion receiving the valves. These torch-supply pipes may be secured to the stringer pipe in any suitable 'rnanner, and in the present instance they threaded in the corresponding opening, the

torch-pipe openings are closed with respect to the interior of the stringer pipe and opposite sides of the intalre nipple are exposed in the pipes 16.

It will be noted that the dimensions of the torch-supply valve are oil the usual ll. G. T. standard in the present instance with the exception that the intake slightly longer than standard as to en tend past the apertures of the torch l6 and properly close the same. The outlet port 17 of the valve casing is located in its usual position, but the intake port 18 is slightly offset from the center of the intake nipple of the casing to supply clearance for a relatively small torch-supply port 19, which is drilled longitudinally in th nipple, said port 19 extending from the wellot the casing and having its outer end closed by a plug 20. A transverse bore 21 connects the port 19 with the interior of either of the pipes 16 when the valve is threaded in place. The usual valve plug 22 is secured in the well of the casing 14: and carries a handle 23 above the stringer pipe and this plug is provided with the usual transverse port 24 for connecting the intake and discharge ports 18 and 17 respectively, the end portions of the port 2lbeing odset in accordance with the otlsetting of the casing ports, and being hence formed by drilling in from opposite sides of the plug. The port 2% is slightly horizontally widened so as to freely admit gas through the main ports when the handle 23 is swung slightly past its full on-position extending transversely at right angles across the stringer, it being noted that the handle in the present valve is permitted a degree of rotation slightly greater than a quarter turn to permit this movement past full on, which constitutes the flash position for the valve The plug is further neeaeee provided with a bore 25 extending obliquely therein from a peripheral point which is in the plane of the torch port 19, this bore 25 meeting the main port 24: at the shoulder formed by its ofi'set formation, and the port 25 is in communication with the torch port 19 when the valve handle is no flashing position.

tional manner and when the valve handle is swung past its full on position the portion of the gas entering the intake nipple for the main supply flow will pass baclrwardly through the intake nipple and into one oi the torch supply pipes 16, and when the valve handle is turned back to its full on position this torch supply will be cut of and the bores 21 whereby one valve in itsdlash position is adapted to discharge a torch flow of gas into the upper pipe 16 while the other valve is adapted to discharge a torch flow ol gas into the lower pipe 16.

To connect these flows of gas with corresponding jets of a torch-head, a torch-head carrying member is provided having a series of longitudinal. passages to effect its connec tions, and in the present arrangement this member is in the form of a pipe 26 having inserted therein a bar 27 provided with four concave sides defining inconjunction with the inner periphery of the pipe a corresponding number of passageways. This pipe is closed at its inner end and is threaded into a bore formed in the central portion of the stringer pipe. The cutting of this here also cuts the pipes 16 in a singleboring operation and the end of the pipe 26 closes the hence formed apertures in the pipes 16. Ports 28 are formed in the wall or the pipe 26 which connect the pipe 16 with the longitudinal passageways defined in the pipe 26 l by the bar 27 and thus an exceedingly simple and readily manufactured and assembled connection is provided. The pipe 26 extends inwardly of the stove to substantially a central point and carries the torch-head of the device. v v

This torch-head comprises an elbow base member in thevform of an angular casting 29 having one arm provided with a thread Thus, gas is supplied through the valve to lts corresponding burner 1n entirely convenlltl ed soclret 30 and having its other arm up w standing and provided with a central grouped about its central opening, and the sides of the upstanding portion are cut away between these bores to provide air in lets for the lower portion of a hood cylinder 32 secured on the base member preferably by a set screw 33 engageable in a pcripheral groove of the'upstanding portion. Air isalso admitted to the hood cylinder through the central aperture of the base member. The horizontal leg'of the torch head base member is provided with a series of bores 34 extending inwardly from its end andgrouped about the pipe-receiving socket 30, eachnf these bores intersecting a corresponding vertical bore 31, the lowermost bores 34 being hence extended through the base member at the sides of its. central opening for communication with the more remote bores 31,- The outer ends of the bores 34 are closed by suitable plugs 35 and oblique bores 36 extend inwardly from the socket 30 for communication therewith, these bores 36 registering with radial bores 37 formed in the end portion of the pipe within the socket and thus aifording communication between the longitudinal passages of the pipe 26 and the various series of connecting bores whereb independenttorch flows 0 gas may be elivered at the top of the base member through.

the vertical bores 31. A series of'angular torch tips 38 are provided, each havmg one leg threaded in the upper portion of a corresponding bore 31 and having its other leg directed inwardly and arranged to discharge its jet inwardly of the group of 1ets and between an opposite pair of ets toward a respective burner, as set fort in my aforementioned patent. The jet passage of the horizontal leg of each angular torch tip is bored from its angle portion, the resultant opening at the angle beingclosed by a lug 39 and the jet passage 1s relatwely lbng and slightly tapered toward 1ts point of discharge whereby to provide a positive and accurate yet which will carry flame a maximum distance with a given general gas pressure. By threading the torch tips 1n the base member, a means is provided for adjusting the direction of said ti s within a fairly wide range, so that a stan ard torch head structure may be adapted for conditions of use incidental to var1ous types of stove tops, and the torch flow of each tip may obviously be directed to either side of the diametrically op ed tip in accordance with the location of t he particular humor which it is desired to ignite by a torch projection from the tip. The hood -cyl1nder 32 is provided with a series of circumferentially elongated firing ports 40, and to ad just th position and area of these ports to meet variable conditions of draft or burner location, a ring 41 is rotatably mounted on the hood cylinder and is provided with acorresponding series of horizontally elongated firing ports 42 whereby adjustment of the ring will procure variation of the extent and location of the effective port area. A screen 43 extends across the lower inlet area of the torch hood, being disposed in the present instance on the base member 29, and a second screen 43' isdisposed in an outwardly bulged upper portion of the hood cylinder, the cylinder above said screen being closed by a cap plate 44 and being provided with a series of inlet openings 45 which are shielded by said ca plate, the plate being held in place by t e heads of screws 46 threaded therein and engaging the inturned upper edge of the hood.

It is noted that,'to light a burner at one both the torch and burner flow of gas bV the corresponding burner valve, it is'necessary for the passageways embodied in the pipe 26 to mutually cross in their extension to thetorch head. In the present arrangement, I efl'ect this mutual crossing of the passages by imparting a twist of 180 to the intermediate portion of the bar 27 prior to its' assembly in the pipe 26, and thus the torch flows of gas from the valves at one side of the gas burner are transmittedPto the torch tips at the opposite side of the torch head and inasmuch as each burner supply valve may deliver selectively to either the upper or lower torch passageway of the stringer-pipe, in accordance with the location of its discharge bore 21, "a ready assembly for the proper co-relation of ports, valves and burners may be edected. It will be further noted that a considerable range is afforded for the registering of the com municating apertures for the various passageways, whereby to facilitate the manufacture pf the device under conditions of quantity production.

Slight flow of gas to maintain a pilot light at either one or a plurality of the torch tips may be efiected by aperturing one or a plurality of the series of passageways within the stringer pipe. In the present instance, I provide for a regulated control and adjustment of the pilot light to meet the various conditions of gas quality, pressure and torch head draft which would be encountered in general use of the invention. Hence, in the present arrangement the closed end of the pipe 26 within the stringer pipe is provided with a series of valve-seating apertures 47 which communicate with the respective passageways formed within the pipe by the bar 27. A plug 48 is threaded in the opposite portion of the stringer pipe,

and a series of needle valves 4:9 are threaded in this plug and may be thus independently adjusted to open or close the pilot supply apertures of the various passageways so that 5 a pilot light of any desired size may be maintained with respect to either one or a plurality of the torch tips, it being noted that under favorable conditions, a single pilot light of small size will be efi'ective in my device by reason of the close grouping of the tips and by the direction of the torch flow of gas inwardly through the group of tips, this feature being covered broadly in my aforementioned patent.

l have thus provided an exceedingly simple and readily manufactured and assembled device whereby upon opening any one of the plurality of main supply valves, a flow of gas will be provided for the corresponding burner and a torch flow of gas will be similarly provided for the corresponding individual torch tip whereby simultaneously with the action of supplying the gas a single jet will be projected at the proper time for igniting the, gas, providing a unitary operation requiring only a single movement by one hand of the operator, thus producing an economy 0% efiort and an economy of gas by the provision of the single torch jet in contradistinction to the heretofore provided multiple torch jets operated by independent valvemeans although it will be appreciated that various features of my invention are independent of the projection of an individual torch flow inasmuch as an exceedingin the general connection of the torch head and the various valves by means forming a ri id part of the stringer pipe.

j n Figures 8 and 9, ll show a modified structure embodying individual tube conneotions between the bores of the torch head andthe torch passageways of the stringer pipe. In this structure. the torch passageways of the stringer pipe constitute a pair of relatively small pipes 51 at each side oi the center of the stringer, said pipes having their adjacent ends opposed and mutually closed in the resent instance by plugs 52 threaded in their adjacent ends, the valve supply of torch tlows oi? gas to the passageways formed by these pipes being identically passageway J "he r mutual oi: tube ly important feature of my invention residesthe sameas in the adore-described structure,

incense tubes 55. A casing 56 is disposed about these couplings, having cars 57 at one end secured to the stringer pipe by screws 58 and. a reducing pipe section 59 is threaded in the other end of the casing and is con- 5 nected with a casing pipe 60 which is disposed about the converged and closely grouped intermediate stretch of the tubes 55. A transverse plate 61 is disposed in the casing 56 and apertured to receive the tubes 55, with one side of the plate in abutment with the shoulders-formed by the. ends of the coupling sleeves 54, while the upper side of the plate is abuttingly engaged by the end of the reducing pipe section 59 when threaded into the casing, to provide a proper tightness of the joints formed by the coupling sleeves 54 which are telescopingly slidable on the tube sections 53. A pipe section 62 is slidable on the pipe 60 and has one end projected beyond the pipe 60 and flattened to provide for angular divergence of "the torch head tubes 55 in their connection with the torch head. The torch head in the present modified structure comprises a base ring 63 having a series of passageways 64 extending therethrough and elbow couplings 65 are threadedly connected with the lower portions of said passageways. Each of these elbow couplings comprises a relatively long arm and a relatively short arm, and inasmuch as the torch head tubes are disposed in superposed pairs, the uppermost tubes are connected with the relatively long arms of the couplings, while the lower tubes are connected with the relatively short arms of the couplings, thus providing -for the use of a single type of coupling. A hood member 66 is carried by the base ring 63 and torch tips 67 are connected with the 1 upper ends or" the passageways 64.

ll lhile l have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention, will be appreciated that various changes and modifications of structure may be employed tomeet differing conditions of use or manufaeture without departing in any manner from the spirit of my invention. It will be further appreciated that various phases of my invention may be used independent y the complete structure described= What is claimed is:

L An igniter device eoliprising th bination withfa burner and main 1? a torch-supply file concealed in the main sup therefrom, a valve s pipe connec p y we P y, P p

main supply pipe therefor, of a pair of torch. supply pipes extending along the main a plurality of valves having their intake nipples secured in the main. supply pipe between the torch-supply pipes and engaging said torch-supply pipes, connections between said valves and the burners, main supply ports in said valves communicating with the main supply pipe, torch-supply ports in said valves each communi'cating with one of the torch-supply pipes, a torch-head provided with a plurality of jets, and connections between the torch-supply pipes and correspondmg ets of the torch-head.

3, An igniter device COHIPIISlIlg the combination with" aplurality of burners and a main supply pipe therefor, of a pair of torch-supply passageways extendmg along the main supply pipe, burner supply valves secured in the main supply pipe and connected with the burners, a torch-supply port in eachvalve connected with one passageway, a member secured in. the mam supply pipe and interrupting said torch-supply passageways, said member being prov1ded with longitudinal passageways communicating with the torch supply passageways, and a torch-head carried by said member and provided with jets communicating with the passageways of said member.

4:, An igniter device comprising the combination with a plurality of burners and a main supply pipe therefor, of a plurality of passageways extending alongthe mam supply pipe, burner supply valves communicating with the main supply pipe each havmg a torch-supply port communicating with one of said passageways, a member threaded in the main supply pipe and having longitudinal passageways communicating one with each of the first named passageways, and a torch-head carried by said member and provided with jets communicating one with each of the said passageways of the member.

5, An igniter device comprising the combination with a plurality of burners and a main-supply pipe therefor, of a plurality of passageways extending along the main supvalves communicating with the main supply pipe each having a torchsupply port communicating with one of said passageways, a pipe threaded in the main supply pipe and closed with respect to come municetion therewith, a member secured in said pipe and defining a plurality of pas: sageways therein, each of said last named passageways communicating with one of the torch-supply passageways, and a torch-head carried by said member and having torch jets communicating with the said passageways thereof. I

6. An igniter device comprising the combination with a plurality of burners and a main supply pipe therefor, of a plurality of passageways extending along the main supply pipe, a torch-head member threaded in the main supply pipe and having longitudi nal passageways closed with respect to the mam supply pipe and communicating with the first specified passageways, a plurality of valves at each side of said torch head member and connected with respective burners, 2fma1n supply ports in each valve, a torch port in each valve connected with one of the first named passageways, a torch-head carried by said torch-head member and havmg torch jets directed toward respective burners, and the passageways of said torchhead member being arranged spirally therein whereby a valve at one side of the torchhead member is adapted to supply gas to a corresponding jet atthe opposite side of the torch-head.

7. igniter device comprising the comblnation with a plurality of'burners and a mam supply pipe therefor, of a plurality of passagewaysextending along the main supply pipe, a pipe threaded in the main supply pipe-and closed with respect to communicat1on therewith, a bar secured in said pipe to define a plurality of passageways therein, said bar being twisted to impart a spiral dlrection to portions of said passageways, each of said ast named passageways'communicating with one of the torch su ply passageways, valves each having their inlet nipple secured in the main-supply pipe at the sides of the last specified pipe, a main supply port in each valve, a torch supply port in each valve communicating with a torchpassageway, and a torch head carried by said last specified pipe and having torch ets communicating with the passageways thereof.

8. In an. igniter device, a valve casing provided with intake and discharge nipples and with a well, intake and discharge ports extending through. the respective nipples,

one of said ports being ec'centrically located 1n the n1pple,.,a torch-port extending longitudinally in the specified nipple, a valve plug disposed in the well and provided with a transverse port having its terminal portlons relatively eccentric, and a torch port ill in the plug communicating with the first named port and adapted to communicate with the torch supply port of the casing.

9. An igniter device com rising the combination with a burner an a main supply pipe therefor, of a torch supply passageway extending along the main supply pipe, a valve-cas1ng having an intake nipple secured in the main supply pipe and provided with a well, intake and discharge ports in the valve casing, a torch-port extending longitudinally through the intake nipple and communicating with the well,

the end of said port being closed in the main supply pipe, said nipple being provided ing, and a torch-head connected with said torch supply pasa eway.

10. An igniter evice comprising the combination wlth a plurality of burners and a main supply pipe therefor, of a pair of torch-supply pipes secured in the main sup ly pipe, burner v'alves communicating wit the main supply pipe each having a torch supply port connected with a torch supply pipe, the intermediate portion. of the main supply pipe being provided with a bore extended through the contiguous portions of the torch supply pipes, a torch head pipe having one end secured in said bore and closing said torch-supply pipes with respect to mutual communication, said torch-head pipe being provided with longitudinal passageways and being apertured within the main supply pipe to provide communication between said passageways and the torch supply pipes, and a torch-head carried by said torch-head pipes and having torch jets communicating with the said passageways thereof.

11. lln an igniter device, the combination, of a torch head base member provided with a series of jet supply passageways, and aplurality of angular tip members each having one endv portion threadedly connected with the base member in communication with the passageways thereof, the other end portions of the tip members being directed inwardly of the group of'said members for discharge between a pair of opposed mem bers, said other end portions of the tip memhers-being bored from the angles of the tip member to provide discharge passageways taperingly reduced.

I 12. An igniter device including a member provided with longitudinal pasageways therein, means for supplying gas selectively to said passa eways, a torch-head base member provide with a Socket receiving said passageway member, said torch-head base member being provided with angular bores having receiving portions grouped about said socket and having their discharge portions terminating at the upper portion of the base member, jet tips communicating with the discharge portions of said bores, and said passageway member being provided with radial openings for connecting the passageways of said members withthe receiving portions of the torch-head bores.

13.111 an igniter device, the combination of a torch-head base member provided with a central aperture, a hood secured on said aeeaeee member angular bores in said member open aft'he upper portion of said member, means for supplying individual flows of gas to said angular bores, and torch tips disposed within said hood and communicating with said bores, each tip being arranged to direct its torch jet between an opposite pair of tips.

14. In an igniter device, the combination of a torch-head member, a plurality of torch tips .c'arried thereby and adjustable to vary the direction of torch jets discharged thereby, a hood disposed about said tips and provided with firin ports, and a band carried by the hood and provided with corresponding port apertures, said band being rotatable with respect to the hood to adjust the location and effective area of the firing ports.

15. In an igniter device, the combination of a torch-head member, torch tips carried by said member, a hood disposed about said tips and provided with firing ports and with apertures above said firing ports, lower portions of the hood space being open to permit inlet or air, and screen members in the hood above. and below the firing portions of said tips.

16. An i iter device comprising the combination with a plurality of burners and a grou of torch jets, of individual torch supp y passageways communicating with said jets, means for -supplying torch flow of gas selectively to said passageways, a,

main supply pipe, portions of said torch supply passagewaysvbeing grouped at one side of the main supply pipe, a plug threaded insaid pipe opposite said grouped P01?- tions ofthe passageways, said grouped portions of the passageways being provided with openings, and needle valves threaded in said plug and extending across the supply pipe and co-operating with said openings to control pilot flow of gas through the passageways.

17. In an igniter device, a tubing, a torch head mounted atone end of said tubing, a plurality of torch jets carried by said torch head, a fuel supply, and an insert in the tubing dividing the same into a plurality of passages connecting said fuel supply with said torch jets.

.18. In an igniter device, the combination with a plurality of burners and a main supply pipe therefor, of torch supply passageways extending along the main supply pipe, a valve member for each burner for controlling the flow of fuel from said main supply to its respective burner and to one of said torch supply passageways, a tubing, a torch head mounted on the outer end thereof, torch jets carried by said torch head, and a pluralityyof passageways in said tubing and connected one with each of said passageways, whereby actuation of said valve will supply gas to its burner and to its torch supply passageway to flash a jet of flames toward its respective burner.

- 19. An igniter device comprising the com bination with a plurality o burners and a main supply pipe therefor, "of a pair of torch supply pipes extending along the main supply pipe, a plurality of valves having their intake nipples secured in the main supply pipe between the torch-supply pipes and engaging said torch-supply pipes, connections between said valves and the burners, a main supply port in each valve communicating with the main supply pipe, a torchsupply port in each valve, each valve nipple having a transverse bore connecting said ports with a torch-supply pipe, a torchhead provided with a plurality of jets, and connections between the torch-sup l pipes and corresponding jets of the torch-head.

20. In a device of the character'described, a main supply pipe, a air of parallel auxiiliary pipes mounted t erein, one wall of the main pipe being bored in register with a bore extendin through the auxiliary pipes, and avalve having a nipple threaded in the main supply pipe bore and extending through the bore of the auxiliary pipes, said valve nipple closing the opening formed by said bore in the auxiliary pipes, and passages in the valve nipple communicating with the interior of the main supply pipe and the auxiliary pipe. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee inthe county of Milwaukee and State 0% Wisconsin. Y

EMIL L. CLAUS. 

